Andre Brown’s Injury Opens The Door For Allen Patrick:

Over the first two weeks of training camp, coach Tom Coughlin had been impressed by rookie running back Andre Brown’s speed, size and versatility. On Friday night, when Brown ruptured his Achilles’ tendon late in practice, Coughlin couldn’t believe his possibilities for the season had already been erased.

“The sad thing is, he was just running a route and all of a sudden he starts flopping,” Coughlin said. “So early in training camp, too, you know? Without even having any games. I just feel bad for the kid.”

The fourth-round pick will have surgery Tuesday, but he won’t be placed on injured reserve until the end of the month. If the team put Brown on IR now, he would count against the team’s 80-man roster, unless the team made the risky move of waiving him first.

But if they wait until the roster is pared down on Sept. 1, he doesn’t have to be waived to clear the spot on the 75-man roster. So for the next few weeks, the Giants will be down a player and will have to use the backs they have.

Allen Patrick, who had been fifth on the depth chart behind Brandon Jacobs, Ahmad Bradshaw, Danny Ware and Brown, will now have a much improved opportunity. Patrick, who signed with the Giants in May, was a seventh-round draft pick by the Ravens in 2008.

“I feel like it’s an opportunity knocking,” Patrick said. “It helped me better my chances but, at the same time, that’s one of our teammates.”

Patrick classified himself as a speedster, and Coughlin agreed. He has had a few standout moments in camp, including when he flattened linebacker Gerris Wilkinson during kickoff drills.

Patrick has actually been promoted because of injury before: In 2006, he started five games for Oklahoma after college teammate Adrian Peterson broke his collarbone. The following season, he started 13 games, rushing for 1,039 yards on 173 carries.

The Giants also could move Dwayne Wright back to his natural running back position from fullback, but Coughlin said the team needs its second fullback for the preseason.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see Allen get a LOT of carries in Monday’s game against the Panthers.